DOMESTIC violence is as damaging to society as international terrorism.

Professor Rachel Pain made the claim yesterday as she unveiled a report on the shocking extent of the problem in Scotland.

An incident of abuse is reported every 10 minutes in this country. And research suggests victims endure the same shock and trauma as those who have survived atrocities.

Details of the study were revealed at the Scottish Women’s Aid conference in Edinburgh. Figures show domestic violence in Scotland has risen by 66 per cent in 10 years.

Dealing with the huge number of incidents costs the Scottish economy £2.3billion a year.

But Ms Pain insists this money could be better spent on prevention.

She said: “Billions are spent every year in the UK on counter-terrorism. But terrorism is a rare occurrence in Scotland – apart from Lockerbie and the Glasgow airport attack.

“Yet every 10 minutes, an incident of domestic violence is recorded. It is like international terrorism in that there is always a motivation behind the violence – whether it’s physical or emotional. It is a way of maintaining control through fear.”

Ms Pain interviewed 16 Scottish victims of domestic abuse.

Some told how they were punched and kicked by their partners. Others blamed themselves for shocking catalogues of abuse which, in some cases, lasted for decades.

Ms Pain added: “Over time, domestic abuse creates an emotional and psychological state quite unique among crimes – similar to the fear endured by survivors of violent atrocities.”